Ryoko Davis Vurpillat, better known as Rikki Davis, the longtime charter broker, died on June 29. She had been battling chronic lung illness.
Born in 1938 in Toronto, Davis first embarked on a career in medicine, having earned a degree in microbiology. She conducted medical research for many years at different companies within the United States. Davis also enjoyed travel, which soon led to a career change. She ventured throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean as a crewmember aboard yachts. She later established firm roots on land in Fort Lauderdale. There, in the 1980s, she created Rikki Davis Yachts, one of the first yacht-charter firms in the industry.
Rikki Davis Yachts was also one of the most respected firms. Davis herself personally inspected and cruised aboard many of the top charter yachts, both power and sail. (While this is what valued charter brokers today do regularly, the industry was quite different in the early days than it is now. Back then, none of the big management firms existed.) Davis earned business from clients ranging from corporate executives to royalty.
In 2005, Davis sold Rikki Davis Yachts to Churchill Yacht Partners. The retail charter division of Churchill became known as Rikki Davis Yachts at Churchill Yacht Partners. The name remained until just recently. Davis remained active with the company, too, until her illness worsened.
Davis is survived by her husband, Jerry Vurpillat, and two sisters.
Churchill Yacht Partners released a statement regarding Davis:
“Rikki was an icon in the industry, being one of the pioneers in the world of yacht charter. She quickly became one of the most successful independent charter brokers anywhere, helping to shape the business at a time when it was still developing without the control of large management companies. Davis traveled many oceans aboard some of the nicest charter yachts, cruising throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean, New England and South Pacific. She toured the ruins of ancient civilizations in Turkey, sank her toes into the white sand beaches of Fiji, shopped for trinkets at tiny markets in the Bahamas, sailed on catamarans throughout the Virgin Islands and, after taking up golf, enjoyed golf-and-cruising charters as far north as Nova Scotia.
“Rikki lived life to the fullest, and when she wasn’t out conquering and exploring the world, she was a devoted wife and animal lover. She earned every bit of success she enjoyed, and she made the most of every minute.
“…We will always remember Rikki for her tenacious spirit and embracing kindess.”
A memorial service for Davis will be held July 12 in Florida. Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to your favorite charity.
If you’re interested in learning more about this charer legend, Kim Kavin, the editor of CharterWave.com, has a touching tribute to “the late, great Rikki Davis,” as she so aptly calls her.
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